Adult vaccination in India: A rapid review of current status & implementation challenges.

Background & objectives The expanded programme on immunization launched in India in 1978, with its focus on preventing six diseases in children (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, typhoid, and childhood tuberculosis), was widened in its scope in 1985-86. This new avtaar, the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), incorporated measles vaccine for children and rubella and adult diphtheria vaccines for pregnant women. We conducted this rapid review on adult immunization relevant for India, as recent COVID-19 experience revealed how newly emergent or re-emergent pathogens could have their onslaughts on the elderly and adults with comorbidities.

Copper-MOF and tannic acid-empowered composite cryogel as a skin substitute for accelerated deep wound healing.

The effective management of deep skin wounds remains a significant healthcare challenge that often deteriorates with bacterial infection, oxidative stress, tissue necrosis, and excessive production of wound exudate. Current medical approaches, including traditional wound dressing materials, cannot effectively address these issues. There is a great need to engineer advanced and multifunctional wound dressings to address this multifaceted problem effectively.

Sustainable Bio-Based Adsorbents for Simultaneous and Efficient Removal of Hazardous Dyes from Aqueous Solutions.

Dyes provide a notable environmental issue as a result of their intrinsic poisonous and carcinogenic characteristics. An estimated 60,000 metric tons of dyes has been discharged into the environment, leading to a substantial increase in water pollution. The mitigation of these dyes is a substantial and intricate challenge.

β-Carotene laden antibacterial and antioxidant gelatin/polyglyceryl stearate nano-hydrogel system for burn wound healing application.

Worldwide, burn wounds are severe health issues prone to bacterial infections and challenging to treat with traditional wound dressings. Therefore, a highly desirable biological macromolecules-based wound dressing with good antioxidant, antibacterial, biocompatible, and a large surface area is required. Herein, aim to develop a biological macromolecules-based physically cross-linked gelatin/polyglyceryl stearate/graphene oxide (GPGO) hydrogel to treat burn wounds.

Simulating aortic root replacement for a surgical wet laboratory in a resource-limited setting: an economical innovation.

Traditional cardiac surgery residency programs rely mainly on teaching surgical skills in the operating room. The increasing complexity of cardiac surgical operations on high-risk patients and the time constraints placed on residents in this surgical discipline negatively impact the learning opportunities for those residents. Simulation models, though efficient, are very expensive.

Dual cross-linked gellan gum/gelatin-based multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogel scaffold for full-thickness wound healing.

Biological macromolecules are excellent materials for wound dressing owing to their similar structure to the extracellular matrix and adjustable physicochemical properties. This research focuses on fabricating biological macromolecule-based hydrogel with desirable antibacterial, antioxidant, controlled drug release, cytocompatibility, and wound healing properties. Herein, different concentrations of nanoceria (NC) and flurbiprofen (FLU) drug-loaded gellan gum/gelatin (GG/Ge) based dual crosslinked (Ionic and EDC/NHS coupling) hydrogels were engineered.

Effect of peri-operative intra-aortic balloon pump in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting on outcomes in a resource limited setting.

Introduction: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion for diminished myocardial function is standard of care in cardiac surgery. Previous studies have suggested a possible benefit to IABP support before surgery with regards to outcomes and complications. However, there are conflicts with other studies suggesting no significant benefit.

Human anthrax in India in recent times: A systematic review & risk mapping.

The disease anthrax occurs generally in herbivores and the causative organism () infects humans who come in contact with infected animals or their products The persistence of anthrax spores for decades and its lethality contribute to its biowarfare potential. We conducted this systematic review along with risk mapping to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution, clinico-epidemiological, socio-behavioural and programmatic issues pertaining to anthrax in India over the last two decades. Peer reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies and grey literature comprising weekly reports of the 'Integrated Disease Surveillance Program' (IDSP), were accessed for extracting data.

Ni complex anchored porous silica for enhanced adsorption of organic pollutants in the wastewater.

In the current study, tetranuclear Ni complex [Ni(LH)]·CHCN (1) (LH=(E)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol) was prepared and incorporated in sulfonic acid functionalized MCM-48 material. This composite nanoporous material was investigated for the adsorption of toxic cationic water pollutant dyes like crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) from the water solution. Thorough characterization was carried out using a variety of techniques, including NMR, ICP, powder XRD, TGA, SEM, BET, and FT-IR, to verify the phase purity, existence of guest moiety, material morphology, and other crucial variables.

HIV epidemic in Mizoram, India: A rapid review to inform future responses.

Background & Objectives: Mizoram, a northeastern State of India bordering Myanmar, is home to several tribal clans under the ethnic group Mizo: Renthelei, Ralte, Paite, Lai, Hmar, Lusei, Mara, Thado and Kuki. Mizos also reside in the neighbouring northeastern States of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. The majority of Mizo people outside India live across the border in the neighbouring Chin State and Sagaing Region of Myanmar.

An optimization of fungal chitin grafted polyaniline for ammonia gas detection via Box Behnken design.

In this work, chitin (Ch) was chemically extracted from wild mushrooms and then grafted to polyaniline (PANI) to form a composite (Ch-g-PANI) to detect ammonia (NH) gas. The Ch-g-PANI was comprehensively characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The NH gas detection optimization was evaluated using Box-Behnken Design.

Applications of Polyaniline-Based Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles against Brain-Eating Amoebae.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis are distressing infections of the central nervous system caused by brain-eating amoebae, namely, and spp., respectively, and present mortality rates of over 90%. No single drug has been approved for use against these infections, and current therapy is met with an array of obstacles including high toxicity and limited specificity.

Biochar as Sustainable Alternative and Green Adsorbent for the Remediation of Noxious Pollutants: A Comprehensive Review.

The current water crisis necessitates the development of new materials for wastewater treatment. A variety of nanomaterials are continuously being investigated for their potential as adsorbents for environmental remediation. Researchers intend to develop a low-cost, simple, and sustainable material that can cater to removal of pollutants.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Ischaemic Heart Failure: Hope or Hype?

Ischaemic heart diseases (IHDs) are the leading contributor to mortality worldwide and more than 60% occur in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) and 40% of these are specified as premature. Despite notable improvements in treatment options, premature deaths due to IHDs including ischaemic heart failure (IHF) continue to rise in the South Asian population due to prevalent conventional and inherent cardiovascular risk profiles. Stem cell (SCs) therapy has emerged as a potential frontier in regenerative therapy for acute and chronic illnesses.

Signal Processing Techniques for 6G.

6G networks have the burden to provide not only higher performance compared to 5G, but also to enable new service domains as well as to open the door over a new paradigm of mobile communication. This paper presents an overview on the role and key challenges of signal processing (SP) in future 6G systems and networks from the conditioning of the signal at transmission to MIMO precoding and detection, from channel coding to channel estimation, from multicarrier and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) to optical wireless communications and physical layer security (PLS). We describe also the core future research challenges on technologies including machine learning based 6G design, integrated communications and sensing (ISAC), and the internet of bio-nano-things.

Synthesis of zeolite-doped polyaniline composite for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue from aqueous solution.

The generation of wastewater has increased rapidly with the expansion of industries, hence, posing a risk to human health and the environment. The development of novel materials and technologies for textile wastewater treatment is constantly evolving. In this work, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue employing ZSM-5 zeolite-doped polyaniline composites is presented.

Role of Alkylamines in Tuning the Morphology and Optical Properties of SnS Nanoparticles Synthesized by via Facile Thermal Decomposition Approach.

The present study reported the synthesis of SnS nanoparticles by using a thermal decomposition approach using tin chloride and thioacetamide in diphenyl ether at 200 °C over 60 min. SnS nanoparticles with novel morphologies were prepared by the use of different alkylamines (namely, octylamine (OCA), dodecylamine (DDA), and oleylamine (OLA)), and their role during the synthesis was explored in detail. The synthesized SnS nanostructures were characterized using an array of analytical techniques.

Challenges faced by ethics committee members in India during COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods exploration.

Background & Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had a distinct impact on scientific research and Ethics Committees (ECs). We conducted a mixed-methods investigation to understand the issues faced and solutions identified by ECs during this pandemic in India.

Methods: A quantitative online survey form (30 members) and qualitative in-depth interviews (10 members) from various ECs were conducted.

Sulfide-Doped Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes Developed as Adsorbent for Uptake of Tetracycline and Cefixime from Wastewater.

In this study, a magnetic solid-phase extraction method was developed based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes decorated by magnetic nanoparticles (FeO) and cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (FeO@MWCNT-CdS) for trace extraction of cefixime and tetracycline antibiotics from urine and drug company wastewater. The adsorbent features were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Various effective parameters on the sorption and desorption cycle, such as sorption time, the mass of adsorbent, pH, salt addition, and material ratio, were investigated and optimized.

Headspace Extraction of Chlorobenzenes from Water Using Electrospun Nanofibers Fabricated with Calix[4]arene-Doped Polyurethane-Polysulfone.

Chlorobenzenes (CBs) are persistent and potentially have a carcinogenic effect on mammals. Thus, the determination of CBs is essential for human health. Hence, in this study, novel polyurethane−polysulfone/calix[4]arene (PU-PSU/calix[4]arene) nanofibers were synthesized using an electrospinning approach over in-situ coating on a stainless-steel wire.

Comprehensive Review on Zeolite-Based Nanocomposites for Treatment of Effluents from Wastewater.

All humans and animals need access to clean water in their daily lives. Unfortunately, we are facing water scarcity in several places around the world, and, intentionally or unintentionally, we are contaminating the water in a number of ways. The rise in population, globalization, and industrialization has simultaneously given rise to the generation of wastewater.

Late presenting partially displaced atrial septal closure device: Surgical vs percutaneous correction? A case report.

Introduction: Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital cardiac defect. Even though surgical repair of ASD is the current method of choice but percutaneous device closure is rapidly gaining popularity as it is less invasive. Dislodgment and embolization of the device may occur requiring urgent surgical retrieval.

Superhydrophobic Nanosilica Decorated Electrospun Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanofibers for Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction of 16 Organochlorine Pesticides in Environmental Water Samples.

A new solid phase micro extraction (SPME) fiber coating composed of electrospun polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanofibrous mat doped with superhydrophobic nanosilica (SiO2) was coated on a stainless-steel wire without the need of a binder. The coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) techniques and it was used in headspace-SPME of 16 organochlorine pesticides in water samples prior to gass chromatography micro electron capture detector (GC-µECD) analysis. The effects of main factors such as adsorption composition, electrospinning flow rate, salt concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated.